Friday, November 9, 2012

The Stock-up Struggle

Well the holidays are fast approaching,
and if my little burst in October sales is any indication, I have to
get ready. Time to crack down and build up a stock. Time to spend
every free minute crocheting and sewing. Time to repeat the same task
over and over again. Time to....*whine*

I have what I loving refer to as
“Crafter's A.D.D” I feel most fulfilled when bouncing from one
inspiration to the next. As such I generally have several projects
going on at once. Maybe today I feel like crocheting, then I get sick
of it and go and do something else. Most of what I make ends up on my
etsy. Of course, the sales have actually been significant in my
financial situation this year, and I good Christmas sale would just
be fabulous. For me the process of sitting down and just mass
producing is a bit daunting. I feel like a factory, and a lot of the
creative joy gets sucked out of the task. Perhaps I just lack
discipline, and need to spend a little time doing some “wax on, wax
off” type stuff. :P

The other big crafting event I have
coming up, however, suits my crafting A.D.D perfectly. It's a
biennial SCA event called “Pentathlon” which is a huge arts and
science competition in our kingdom. Have you ever been to the county
fair and seen the arts and crafts barns, with projects competing?
It's kinda like that. I was in 4-H as a kid, and spent months every
year crafting and building and baking to win ribbons at our county
fair.

In Pentathlon, to qualify for overall
winner you have to complete five projects spanning at least five of
the six categories. It is very challenging, because the categories
are pretty varied, and you will likely end up having to make
something in a category you are not that familiar with. I'm pretty
excited this year to work on new things and show other people some of
the skills I am working on. I have picked my projects, and will be
working on them from now until the competition in spring, so you will
definitely being seeing more about it!

About Me

Growing up in Northern Wisconsin surrounded by the forest was a huge inspiration to me. I am am a conservation biology major, a huge fantasy nerd, a crafter and seamstress, and of course, a devoted Packer Fan. Growing up on things Tolkien, Labyrinth, The Princess Bride, and Mel Brooks only solidified my path in life as a geeky gal. These days I live out in sunny California with my husband. (A little too sunny if you ask me) I spend my time working at a law office by day and creating art by night. Feel free to wander around the mists and see what else you find!